RELATIVE PRONOUNS Relative pronouns may: 1. substitute precisely an ENTIRE NOUN PHRASE Subject (Subj.) when rel. pro. has the function of subject in the relative sentence Direct object (DO) when rel. pro. has the function of direct object in the relative sentence People Things People Things Indirect object (IO) People when rel. pro. has the function of indirect object in the relative sentence (introduced Things by a preposition) Defining when the relative clause is necessary to identify who or what we are speaking about. Non-defining when the relative clause is not necessary to the identification of who/what we are speaking about, but gives extra information. WHO / THAT WHO invented the vaccine. the vaccine. > That is the scientist who/that (= the scientist) > Dr Heritachi, who (= Dr Heritachi) is a scientist, invented WHICH / THAT WHICH very well has just been discontinued. very well, has just been discontinued. > The scalpel which/that (= the scalpel) isn t selling > Our scalpel B324, which (= our scalpel B324) isn t selling (WHO / WHOM* / THAT)** WHO / WHOM* met is your new colleague. is your new colleague. > The woman (who/whom/that) (= the woman) I ve just > S andy Lynn, who/whom (= Sandy Lynn) I ve just met, (WHICH / THAT)** WHICH left at reception is for Mr Smith. left at reception, is yellow. (WHO / WHOM* / THAT)*** WHO / WHOM* about yesterday will get a promotion. yesterday, will get a promotion. > The yellow parcel (which/that) (= the parcel) you have > M r Smith s parcel, which (= Mr Smith s parcel) you have > The man (who/whom/that) (= the man) I ve told you > Paul Ghering, who/whom (= Paul Ghering) I told you about (WHICH / THAT)*** WHICH parked in is the manager s. is the manager s. > The parking lot (which/that) (= the parking lot) you ve > This parking lot, which (= the parking lot) you ve parked in, * = whom is quite formal. ** ( ) = the relative pronoun may be omitted. *** = generally the preposition is put at the end of the relative sentence even if the relative pronoun is omitted. However, it can precede the relative pronoun as well, though in this case the option that is not available. 2. substitute an entire NOUN PHRASE + A PREPOSITION Preposition of time + rel. pro. WHEN Preposition of place + rel. pro. WHERE > The end of summer is the right moment when (= in which) taking up a new hobby. > Chemists, where (= in which) our products sell quite well, can t be enough if we want to expand. Rel. pro. + Saxon genitive WHOSE > Dr Dettel, whose (= Dr Dettel s) wife works in HR, has just found a new job. Preposition of cause + rel. pro. WHY > This is the reason why (= for which) my grandfather can t be vaccinated. 3. Make reference to something other than a given noun phrase Reference to noun phrase known to the speaker and listener but not mentioned > This is what (= information which is not mentioned but referred to) the patient requests. Reference to previous information and the way something should be done > This is how (= the way in which, reference to previous information) vitamin K works. Rreference to the whole preceding and mentioned sentence WHICH WHAT HOW > The number of guest has increased steadily, which (= the fact that the number of guest has increased steadily) has pleased the nursing home management a lot. 384 extra